Swansea 0 v 3 AFCB
31 December 2016
Attendance 20,316
This was as easy a win as you'll get in the Premier League. AFCB were not in startling form, but they found the finishes to put a sorry Swansea side away and take all three points. Afobe's opener was carved out by Ryan Fraser and the young Scot netted Bournemouth's second before half time. As a contest the match already seemed over by this point and while Swansea threatened to make a game of it, when Josh King broke away on 88 minutes the result was put beyond doubt. It was a great way to sign off a very pleasing 2016 for AFCB fans.
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| The Liberty Stadium. |
Meanwhile caretaker manager Alan Curtis made seven changes to the Swans who started the game as the bottom team in the league. In came Naughton, Amat, Taylor, Ki-Sung-Yueng, Dyer, Fer and Llorente.
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Match Description
AFCB played in their home kit of red and black and kicked off the match. Ki-Song-Yueng picked up an early yellow card on Ryan Fraser. Sigurdsson collected a pass from Francis as AFCB lost possession, but AFCB were trying to press high early in the game. Francis was getting forward well but an early cross from him saw no AFCB player following into the box.
Swansea came forward with Dyer on the left and his cross was met by Fer before Lorente was given an opportunity centrally, but Aké closed him down and cleared the danger. Francis then won the first corner of the game.
Stanislas started to see a bit more of the ball and Ryan Fraser almost found his way through. As the game found its natural pace AFCB were keeping possession and Swansea were looking to intercept when they could. Naughton fouled Ryan Fraser to bring more pressure on the Swansea defence.
Nathan Dyer was finding a bit of joy against Daniels, but Swansea were not creating clear chances. Afobe almost slipped in Fraser before Charlie Daniels hit a shot over from distance. Swansea were getting a bit more of the ball now as Arter made a mistake in midfield.
Stanislas made Fabianski make the first save after Surman and Francis had fashioned a good ball in from the right. It was a pretty uneventful first 20 minutes though perhaps something that Howe wanted after conceding a few in the last few weeks.
Naughton put in a great ball on the six yard line, but luckily no Swansea striker anticipated it. Dyer was looking ever more impressive on the right and a pass to Naughton saw the full back put in a cross right on Llorente's head, but the effort went wide of the left post.
Stanislas then had loads of time in front of the Swansea box to line up a shot, but he didn't really get hold of it, shooting well wide. AFCB were looking better when Wilshere was getting some touches but everything was breaking down in front of Swansea's box.
Wilshere spotted Ryan Fraser on the left and his low cross from the left was deflected by Amat, it came off the keeper, but Benik Afobe was on hand to score 0-1 to AFCB.
Mawson fouled Afobe wide on the right to offer another chance to swing a ball into the Swansea box on the half hour. Somehow the ball from Stanislas missed everyone! Surman then played a long ball to try and get Fraser in, but the keeper read it well.
A bad challenge on Fraser by Amat on 33 minutes some how was not carded. Ki-Song-Yeung was also handing out more fouls by taking Arter out in the semi-circle as things were going against the Swans. Arter himself put a shot wide moments later. Fer was subbed early for Barrow.
Sigurdsson tried a half volley from way out as Boruc was off his line but the shot drifter well wide. A free kick from Sigurdsson then was easily cleared before half time. Barrow almost capitalised from a mistake from Francis, but ran into a wall of defenders.
Jack Wilshere then almost played in Stanislas perfectly but he was just off side and the finish was written off. The chip was exquisite though from Wilshere.
AFCB weren't finished though some smart work by Wilshere and Stanislas put Junior through on the right, but instead of shooting he pulled the ball square and Fraser just beat the defender on the line to make it 0-2 in added time.
Second half
Daniels ad Fraser were working well on the left and were bringing Wilshere into the game as AFCB probed for a third goal. Surman was playing just in front of the back four and was making the side more solid.
Everything was going through Wilshere though and the passing was starting to get crisper as AFCB found more time on the ball. Afobe on the left cut in well and could have played in Stanislas, but the ball just hit a defender and ended up with the keeper.
Swansea managed to win a corner to give their fans something to hold on to. But Boruc half punched it away before Surman cleared, and a strike from Naughton hit Daniels and came to nothing. Llorente was injured in the build up to that move. He is replaced by McBurnie.
A Bournemouth break saw Wilshere race away and feed Stanislas who shot across the goal and out wide.
Swansea were trying to make a game of it, but this was suiting AFCB to play on the break. A great move saw Wilshere burst free and he waited to pick out Afobe who wasted the shot that was hit well over the bar! Both Stanislas and Afobe have been wasteful this afternoon.
Stanislas then put Afobe in again and this time the keeper made a good save with his feet, just on 62 minutes. It was a well timed run buy Afobe, but another missed chance. Fraser took a heavy knock at the same time. Swansea are doing well just to keep 11 players on the pitch here.
Eddie Howe has still not made any changes with 65 minutes gone, which may be surprising considering AFCB have Arsenal on Tuesday night at home. Naughton wins a free-kick off of Fraser just for a push in the back. Fraser himself is bleeding from his nose and receives some attention.
Taylor shoot over from range, but AFCB are not home and dry just yet. Swansea make their third sub as Jack Cork comes on for Britton.
AFCB waited until the 73rd minute to bring on some subs and Josh King and Adam Smith replaced Junior Stanislas and Ryan Fraser who had both had good matches. Sigurdsson hasn't given up and wins a corner for the men in white.
McBurnie headed well and Artur Boruc initially seemed to spill it and just grabbed it at the second attempt at the feet of Ki-Sung Yueng.
With 10 minutes to go Swansea are still trying to get back into the game, but I don't think their fans are that optimistic. McBurnie does his best trying to get to a header but there's not much spark from the Swansea men.
Barrow wins a corner but the Swansea players get in each others way. The ball out to Daniels is picked up by Josh King who strides forward and finishes well in the bottom right corner to make it 0-3. AFCB have been that dominant without particularly playing at their best.
Surman is replaced by Dan Gosling now. Boruc is out quickly to deprive McBurnie of the ball.
Five minutes of added time are hardly necessary. Wilshere has won a free-kick as the Bournemouth procession goes on. A final corner for AFCB - can they do anything from it? It's taken short and is put out for a throw.
Arter looks to go but the final whistle is blown.
Summary
Eight years ago Eddie Howe became manager of AFCB for the first time taking over the club in 91st place. He hasn't done badly since has he? This was a comprehensive win for the Cherries. It was only their second away win of the season and probably said more about the state that Swansea are in than it does about AFCB's current form. The Cherries will at least take some comfort from scoring three goals, and the way Jack Wilshere is playing is certainly worth the admission money at the moment. It is a concern that Callum Wilson is not being played and the probability of him being sold is looming large - look out for the Cherry Chimes Newsletter tomorrow - should AFCB sell Callum Wilson. Howe could be saving him for the Arsenal game, but the Cherries don't have many potential 15-goal a season strikers and the aim over the next month is probably just as important to keep hold of players as it is to get a couple of more wins.
Swansea City
Fabianski, Naughton, Amat, Mawson, Taylor, Ki Sung-yueng, Britton (Cork 66), Dyer, Fer (Barrow 38), Sigurdsson, Llorente (McBurnie 57)
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| A happy hunting ground for the Cherries. |
Daniels ad Fraser were working well on the left and were bringing Wilshere into the game as AFCB probed for a third goal. Surman was playing just in front of the back four and was making the side more solid.
Everything was going through Wilshere though and the passing was starting to get crisper as AFCB found more time on the ball. Afobe on the left cut in well and could have played in Stanislas, but the ball just hit a defender and ended up with the keeper.
Swansea managed to win a corner to give their fans something to hold on to. But Boruc half punched it away before Surman cleared, and a strike from Naughton hit Daniels and came to nothing. Llorente was injured in the build up to that move. He is replaced by McBurnie.
A Bournemouth break saw Wilshere race away and feed Stanislas who shot across the goal and out wide.
Swansea were trying to make a game of it, but this was suiting AFCB to play on the break. A great move saw Wilshere burst free and he waited to pick out Afobe who wasted the shot that was hit well over the bar! Both Stanislas and Afobe have been wasteful this afternoon.
Stanislas then put Afobe in again and this time the keeper made a good save with his feet, just on 62 minutes. It was a well timed run buy Afobe, but another missed chance. Fraser took a heavy knock at the same time. Swansea are doing well just to keep 11 players on the pitch here.
Eddie Howe has still not made any changes with 65 minutes gone, which may be surprising considering AFCB have Arsenal on Tuesday night at home. Naughton wins a free-kick off of Fraser just for a push in the back. Fraser himself is bleeding from his nose and receives some attention.
Taylor shoot over from range, but AFCB are not home and dry just yet. Swansea make their third sub as Jack Cork comes on for Britton.
AFCB waited until the 73rd minute to bring on some subs and Josh King and Adam Smith replaced Junior Stanislas and Ryan Fraser who had both had good matches. Sigurdsson hasn't given up and wins a corner for the men in white.
McBurnie headed well and Artur Boruc initially seemed to spill it and just grabbed it at the second attempt at the feet of Ki-Sung Yueng.
With 10 minutes to go Swansea are still trying to get back into the game, but I don't think their fans are that optimistic. McBurnie does his best trying to get to a header but there's not much spark from the Swansea men.
Barrow wins a corner but the Swansea players get in each others way. The ball out to Daniels is picked up by Josh King who strides forward and finishes well in the bottom right corner to make it 0-3. AFCB have been that dominant without particularly playing at their best.
Surman is replaced by Dan Gosling now. Boruc is out quickly to deprive McBurnie of the ball.
Five minutes of added time are hardly necessary. Wilshere has won a free-kick as the Bournemouth procession goes on. A final corner for AFCB - can they do anything from it? It's taken short and is put out for a throw.
Arter looks to go but the final whistle is blown.
Summary
Eight years ago Eddie Howe became manager of AFCB for the first time taking over the club in 91st place. He hasn't done badly since has he? This was a comprehensive win for the Cherries. It was only their second away win of the season and probably said more about the state that Swansea are in than it does about AFCB's current form. The Cherries will at least take some comfort from scoring three goals, and the way Jack Wilshere is playing is certainly worth the admission money at the moment. It is a concern that Callum Wilson is not being played and the probability of him being sold is looming large - look out for the Cherry Chimes Newsletter tomorrow - should AFCB sell Callum Wilson. Howe could be saving him for the Arsenal game, but the Cherries don't have many potential 15-goal a season strikers and the aim over the next month is probably just as important to keep hold of players as it is to get a couple of more wins.
Swansea City
Fabianski, Naughton, Amat, Mawson, Taylor, Ki Sung-yueng, Britton (Cork 66), Dyer, Fer (Barrow 38), Sigurdsson, Llorente (McBurnie 57)
Swnasea Subs
Bastón, Nordfeldt, Barrow, Rangel, Cork, Fernandez, McBurnie
AFCB
Boruc, Francis, Cook, Aké, Daniels, Arter, Surman (Gosling 89), Fraser (A Smith 73), Wilshere, Stanislas (King 73), Afobe
AFCB Subs
Federici, Mings, Gosling, C Wilson, Smith, King, Ibe
AFCB Ratings
Boruc 6, Francis 7, Cook 6, Aké 7, Daniels 7, Arter 6, Surman 7, Fraser 6, Wilshere 8, Stanislas 7, Afobe 6
Bastón, Nordfeldt, Barrow, Rangel, Cork, Fernandez, McBurnie
AFCB
Boruc, Francis, Cook, Aké, Daniels, Arter, Surman (Gosling 89), Fraser (A Smith 73), Wilshere, Stanislas (King 73), Afobe
AFCB Subs
Federici, Mings, Gosling, C Wilson, Smith, King, Ibe
AFCB Ratings
Boruc 6, Francis 7, Cook 6, Aké 7, Daniels 7, Arter 6, Surman 7, Fraser 6, Wilshere 8, Stanislas 7, Afobe 6
The last time we won at their place the team was: Forde, Gowling, Pearce, Bradbury, Cummings, Cooper, Anderton (Partington), Kuffour, Gradel, Tessem (Pitman), Vokes (Garry). We were relegated anyway.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten that a couple of those players - Tessem in particular - had ever played for us.